Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a frequently occurring clinical problem in childhood. Upper UTIs (ie, acute pyelonephritis) may lead to renal scarring, hypertension, and end-stage renal dysfunction. Although children with pyelonephritis tend to present with fever, it is often difficult on clinical grounds to distinguish cystitis from pyelonephritis, particularly in young children (aged <2 years) [1]. Thus, we have defined UTI broadly here without attempting to distinguish cystitis from pyelonephritis. Acute cystitis in older children is discussed separately. (See "Acute cystitis: Clinical features and diagnosis in children older than two years and adolescents".)

Recurrent symptoms — Approximately 8 to 30 percent of children with UTI experience one or more symptomatic reinfections [2-6]. Breakthrough UTI are most common in girls [7].

Progression of renal scarring is associated with recurrent episodes of pyelonephritis [8-11]. Accordingly, prompt diagnosis and treatment of these infections is critically important in reducing renal scarring [2,12-15].

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